Damien DeRose, aka Peasant, tip-toed into our playlist last year just before playing Gothamist House at CMJ. Hailing from Doylestown, PA, his small town sound has been calmly floating around this city with more and more frequency -- enchanting everyone within earshot. This Thursday he's back to play the Brooklyn Vegan show at Pianos (tix).
Peasant, Musician
Village Residents Rally for a Pier 40 Park
Over the weekend, hundreds rallied for Pier 40's next transformation to be a park. This Thursday, the Hudson River Park Trust is meeting to discuss two existing bids for the pier located off Houston Street, but a more recent plan, from a group of local parents who hope their $120,000 study, has been gaining some recent momentum.
Shawn Christensen, Stellastarr*
Stellastarr* are somewhat of a staple in the New York music scene. The Brooklynites are about to record their third full-length release this fall -- having steadily put out impressive tunes ever since Mischa Barton declared one of their first, My Coco, a favorite. One new track, The People, can be listened to here.
Jenn Su, Solar One
Solar One is New York City's first solar-powered “Green Energy, Arts, and Education Center,” leading the way in getting city dwellers to be a bit more environmentally responsible. They do this by not only reaching out to the community and educating through games and workshops, but also through some great events, green markets and more (they even have their Solar2 building coming soon, watch a video about it here).
Over 560 Free Performances This Thursday
The NY Sun has a report on the city's largest music festival in history. We mentioned Make Music New York back in April when it was all still being pulled together. This Thursday, it begins.
Night of a Thousand Pixies
," as part of the acclaimed 33 1/3 series. The book takes a look at the 1989 release of the Pixies sonic masterpiece of the same name, gaining insight from the band themselves.
Gothamist Music Picks: The "Please Excuse Our Appearance As We Undergo Renovations" Edition
We hope you like change, because there's sure a lot of it when it comes to who's writing the music picks. Now, on to the picks...while we'll be down in Austin for SXSW this week, we aren't taking every band with us. There will be plenty to rock out to in the city, and as an added bonus, it's St. Patrick's Day this weekend...so your rock will be mixed with green beer.
Tickle Your Funny Bone
If you think that laughter is the best medicine, then the volunteers of the New York City Free Clinic have a dose for you. This Thursday, February 23rd, the Clinic is hosting "Stand-up For Healthcare Access," an evening of stand-up comedy and dinner to raise funds for the Clinic. Performing are nine of America's top comics including Colin Quinn, Greg Giraldo (of Comedy Central), and Greg Rogell (The Aristocrats, Half-Baked). The event takes place at the Rosenthal Pavilion at the Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South at 6:30 pm. All funds raised go towards providing free health care for the uninsured of New York City.
Literati Roundup: We'll Take Some Poetry With Our Kir Royale, Thanks!
It's the holidays, and we're pretty sure that most of you are still comatose on the couch suffering from either an eggnog overdose or a family overdose, pick your poison! But in case there are still five or six of you wondering what you'll do without a reading, here's your solution.
The New Sex Ed
This Thursday, World AIDS Day, sex education in New York's public schools will receive a politically charged facelift, the first major change to the curriculum in thirteen years. The major additions? Redesigned AIDS/HIV language and a better, more in-depth, discussion of the female condom. Fourth graders will now be told "HIV can be transmitted by sexual contact with an infected person. When you are older you will learn more," replacing the previous lesson which explained, much to the dismay of many parents, that condoms are used to "prevent transmission of semen, blood or vaginal fluids." Meanwhile abstinence is "strongly encouraged" in all grades.
Gift of Noise Benefit
This Thursday many bands will come together for The Gift of Noise Benefit that has been organized to help Kia Nowotne.
Only In New York Events
Sometimes there are things happening in this city that would (and could) only ever happen here, whether we like it or not. Thankfully we usually like it. The following are a few events taking place tomorrow that not only seem pretty cool, but somehow encompass why we love this city so much.
Synchronize Your Watches . . .
This Thursday, at exactly one minute past midnight, is the official release of the latest Beaujolais Nouveau wines. At this time, the million plus cases of Beaujolais Nouveau wine will begin their journey - from Beaujolais in the south of Burgundy to wine stores, bars and lushes throughout the world.
A Ban on Car Alarms?
I was up all night because of a car alarm that wouldn't stop going off right outside my apartment. Short of egging the car out of frustration, what can I do?


